Memories+ Adult Program and Wellness Centre officially cut the ribbon Oct. 25 at its new Davis Drive location, along with a strong showing of support from members of the community. The facility provides a wide range of interactive programs and services for seniors affected by disorders across the cognitive spectrum that are not specific to any diagnosis in particular, executive director Harvey Dix said.
“There is a gap in this area for people who are on waiting lists for publicly funded programs, who don’t need advanced support but who also can’t go on their own to a seniors’ centre,” Dix said. “The programs and services we provide are somewhere in between.”
Mayor-elect John Taylor, who attended the grand opening, along with councillors-elect Christina Bisanz and Bob Kwapis, said the facility and its staff have created an important service for local seniors, particularly with the rapid growth of the senior population in York Region.
“Congratulations on taking this significant step forward,” Taylor said. “Not only are you starting a new business, but you are expanding on your existing business.”
The privately run Memories+ is an expansion of the two decades-long business, Retire-At-Home Services York/South Simcoe, also led by Dix. Throughout his experience in the field, Dix said he recognized the need to get people out of their homes to take part in programs.
“We don’t want to see them housebound,” he said. “All of our services are nurse-case managed and clients’ needs are re-assessed on a regular basis.”
Another benefit to the centre’s programming is that it gives family and caregivers some respite, Dix added.
The programs and services include Fit Minds, an interactive group program that helps to build better brain fitness, art and music therapy, physical fitness, foot care, and more.
Laura Walter, a registered practical nurse, has been contracted to provide foot-care clinics for clients at the Memories+ centre.
"There's definitely been an increase in the demand for services among seniors, but also for people of any age who are no longer able to take care of their own feet due to any number of medical conditions," Walter said, adding a pedicure costs $40.
The centre is at 291 Davis Dr., Unit 8, on the YRT bus route, and CHATS i-Ride and YRT Mobility Plus can drop passengers off right at the door.
The cost is $10 per hour, $30 for a half-day program, and $60 for the full-day program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., which includes a homemade lunch prepared by the Lunch Lady. Lunch is also available to half-day clients for $10. Early drop-offs and late pick-ups can be arranged in advance.
The centre’s October calendar is full of activities, including a Fit Minds class, a fitness class, bean bag toss and sing-a-long for Monday, Oct. 29.
To learn more about Memories+, register, or to book a free assessment, visit here, or call 1-855-558-4663.
